2014:021 - ATTYKITT, Tipperary

Monitoring of ground works associated with the laying of a driveway as part of the development of a single dwelling house, garage, percolation area and waste treatment unit was undertaken at Attykit, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

One of the conditions of granted planning pertained to archaeological requirements as a part of the site is within the constraint area for a recorded monument, an ancient road. This ancient road extends along either side of the present-day public road. Known as St Declan’s Way or Rian Bó Phádraig, this ancient trackway follows the alignment of the existing modern public road from near the village of New Inn to the townland of Lalor’s-Lot, c. 5km to the north. A possible surviving section of original roadway, c. 450m long and c. 10m wide, may exist in Lalor’s-Lot townland. It is defined by a low, earthen bank planted intermittently with thorn trees forming the west side and defined by the existing public road to the east.

The driveway to service the new dwelling house commenced within the buffer zone for the ancient roadway and extend for c. 50m within the archaeological zone.

Approximately half the length of the driveway was within the buffer zone for the monument and was  monitored.

Excavations were not deep for the driveway, as a suitable formation was reached at a shallow depth, not exceeding 0.24m and only 0.1m deep near the entrance at the public road. The excavation works did not proceed into the underlying subsoil at any location. This subsoil proved a suitable formation level, having a moderate compaction. In addition to the topsoil strip, the entrance was widened. This entailed the removal of the southern gate pillar and a section of hedge along the east boundary of the public road. This hedge covered a dry stone wall, c. 1m high.

No archaeological features were uncovered in the course of the monitoring.